Apple tree named ‘MAIA8’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apple tree was identified from a population of seedlings derived from a cross of ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Sweet 16’. The new variety, named ‘MAIA8’, is distinct from ‘Goldrush’ as ‘MAIA8’ ripens late-September, 5 weeks before ‘Goldrush’. Unlike ‘Goldrush’, ‘MAIA8’ has scarlet red skin (R.H.S. Colour Chart Red-Purple Group 60B). While ‘Goldrush’ will keep for more than 20 weeks in normal 35° F. storage, ‘MAIA8’ will only keep for approximately 10 weeks in normal 35° F. storage. ‘MAIA8’ is distinct from ‘Sweet 16’ as ‘MAIA8’ is much more precocious, setting fruit in the first year of planting. ‘Sweet 16’ typically does not set fruit until 2 years after planting. The fruit of ‘MAIA8’ adheres to the tree for approximately 6-7 weeks past fruit maturity, while ‘Sweet 16’ fruit will abscise from the tree within 2 weeks of maturity. ‘MAIA8’ fruit are medium sized, crisp, with unique and complex sweet-tart flavor with peach, pear, and strawberry flavor tones.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Malus×domestica.

Variety denomination: ‘MAIA8’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct variety of apple tree was identified from apopulation of seedlings derived from a cross of ‘Goldrush’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 9,392) and ‘Sweet 16’ (not patented—originating from a cross of‘Northern Spy’ (not patented) and ‘Malinda’ (not patented) made inMinnesota, US, and released as a variety in 1973). This cross was madeas a part of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association apple breedingproject. This superior seedling tree was identified in a population ofseedlings from this cross at Belleville, Ill.

The seedling tree was planted as a 1-year-old tree at Belleville, Ill.,in 2001 and grown among a population of several hundred siblings.Evaluations of fruit quality and tree growth parameters were begun in2005 and this seedling was identified over several years as superiorbased upon tree growth habit, precocity, superior fruit quality andharvest time. Utilizing grafting reproduction, the new apple treevariety was asexually propagated by John Mitchell Lynd at Pataskala,Ohio and has been observed to remain true to the description set forthherein.

The new variety, named ‘MAIA8’ is distinct from parent ‘Goldrush’ as‘MAIA8’ ripens late-September, 5 weeks before ‘Goldrush’ (FIG. 1).Unlike ‘Goldrush’ ‘MAIA8’ has scarlet red skin (R.H.S. Colour ChartRed-Purple Group 60B). While ‘Goldrush’ will keep for more than 20 weeksin normal 35° F. storage, ‘MAIA8’ will only keep for approximately 10weeks in normal 35° F. storage (FIG. 1). The closest comparison varietyto ‘MAIA8’ is ‘Sweet 16’. ‘MAIA8’ has far better crimson red skin color,better keeping quality (4-6 weeks longer than ‘Sweet 16’), with asimilar harvest date. ‘MAIA8’ is further distinct from ‘Sweet 16’ as‘MAIA8’ is much more precocious, setting fruit in the first year ofplanting. ‘Sweet 16’ typically does not set fruit until 2 years afterplanting. The fruit of ‘MAIA8’ adheres to the tree for approximately 6-7weeks past fruit maturity, while ‘Sweet 16’ fruit will abscise from thetree within 2 weeks of maturity. ‘MAIA8’ fruit (FIG. 2) are mediumsized, crisp, with unique and complex sweet-tart flavor with peach,pear, and strawberry flavor tones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietydepicted in color as true as is reasonably possible. FIG. 1 was createdfrom harvest and storage data from Pataskala, Ohio, and Carrollton,Ohio.

FIG. 1. Shows that ‘MAIA8’ is distinct from parents in both harvest timeand storage window.

FIG. 2. Typical fruit of ‘MAIA8’ post-harvest.

FIG. 3. Typical ‘MAIA8’ trees bearing fruit in September in Ohio.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.) 2001 Edition.

-   Parentage: ‘Goldrush’ female parent and ‘Sweet 16’ male parent;    controlled cross made by Greg Miller at Pataskala, Ohio in 1999.-   Original seedling tree:    -   -   Age.—17 years.        -   Size.—Medium, 15′ height, 15′ spread.        -   Vigor.—Moderate to weak.        -   Form.—Round, spreading.        -   Production.—Very productive.        -   Growth type.—Spindle tree growth form, productive spurs            located throughout tree.        -   Bearing.—Annual.-   Trunk:    -   -   Original seedling tree size.—7 cm at 15 cm height.        -   Bark color.—Grey-Brown 199C.        -   Lenticel.—Oblong, 4 mm×1.5 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—Greyed-Yellow 161A.        -   Lenticel density.—4 lenticels/cm².-   Branches:    -   -   3 year old.—8 mm in diameter, branch angle 70-80°,            Grey-Brown N199C; typical branch length of 25-35 cm.        -   2 year old.—5 mm in diameter, branch angle 70-80°,            Grey-Brown N199B; typical branch length of 20-35 cm.        -   1 year old.—3-4 mm in diameter, branch angle 70-80°, Brown            Group 200B; typical branch length of 15-23 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length 70 mm; width 30 mm.        -   Texture.—Leathery, crisp.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Adaxial surface pubescence.—None.        -   Abaxial pubescence.—Pubescent.        -   Adaxial surface color.—Yellow-Green 146D.        -   Abaxial surface color.—Yellow-Green 145D.        -   Veination.—Pinnate, 8-9 major veins, mainly alternate.        -   Margin.—Serrate, rounded at tips.        -   Petiole length.—2.5 mm.        -   Petiole width.—3 mm.        -   Petiole abaxial color.—Greyed-Purple 184B to Greyed-Green            193A.        -   Petiole adaxial surface color.—Greyed-Purple 184B to            Greyed-Green 193A.        -   Petiole groove.—Very shallow, depth 0.1 mm.        -   Stipules.—Uncommon, highly variable.        -   Leaf glands.—None observed.-   Leaf buds:    -   -   Length.—3 mm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Shape.—Both lateral and terminal buds pointed with imbricate            scales.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green 145A with Brown Group 200A overtones.        -   Placement on branch.—Alternate.        -   Internode distance.—20 mm.-   Spurs: Present on 2 year and older wood.    -   -   Length.—Varies from 12-90 mm.        -   Width.—4-5 mm.-   Flowers at popcorn stage:    -   -   Pedicel.—Length 10-20 mm; diameter 1-2 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—Greyed-Green 191A.        -   Bud.—Length 9-12 mm; width 8-11 mm.        -   Bud color.—Red-Purple Group 63B to Red-Purple Group 69C.-   Flowers at full bloom:    -   -   Bloom time.—Depends on spring temperatures, but with ‘Golden            Delicious’ typically during 4^(th) week of April in northern            Ohio.        -   Bloom period.—Depends on spring temperatures but first spur            blossoms and then lateral blossoms on one-year wood;            approximately 7 days.        -   Presentation.—Showy.        -   Fragrance.—Aromatic.        -   Fertility.—Fertile.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—4-6 with 5 typical.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—bases overlapping; 5 petals/flower; each petal            13-19 mm length; 10-16 mm width.        -   Color.—Upper surface (inside) Grey Group NN155B; lower            surface (outside) Grey Group NN155B with Greyed-Purple 186B            pronounced as flower begins to open and then fading as            flower completely opens.        -   Shape.—Broadly ovate, abruptly cuneate at junction with            receptacle.        -   Petal apex.—Predominantly rounded with some fluting.        -   Veins.—Distinct, minor lateral veins at base.        -   Margins.—Smooth edge and continuous.        -   Texture.—Soft.        -   Receptacle.—Length 6-7 mm; width 4-5 mm; color Greyed-Green            191A with Red-Purple 63B.        -   Pedicel.—Length 14-20 mm; width 2 mm; color Greyed-Green            191A.        -   Sepals.—5/flower; wedge-shaped; sharply pointed; length 5-7            mm; width 2-3 mm at widest point; adaxial and abaxial color            Greyed-Green 196B with Greyed-Green 187C at tips.        -   Stamens.—15-20 in number.        -   Anthers.—length 1.5-2 mm; width 1.5 mm; color Yellow Group            4C.        -   Pollen.—Present and abundant; color Yellow Group 10C.        -   Filaments.—Length 5-9 mm, increasing in length as flower            matures; width 0.5 mm; color Greyed-Green 155C.        -   Pistil.—Held lower than anthers in majority of blossoms;            color Greyed-Green 157A.        -   Ovary.—Length 4 mm; width 4 mm; color Green 143B.        -   Style.—Length 9-10 mm; the 5 styles are fused in bottom 2 mm            only; width 1 mm; color Greyed-Green 199C.        -   Stigma.—Width 0.5 mm; color Greyed-Green 193A.-   Pollination requirements: Requires cross-pollination from diploid    varieties with overlapping bloom; will pollinate diploid varieties    of overlapping bloom.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—6 week storage.        -   Date of picking.—Oct. 7, 2015.        -   Size.—Axial diameter 68-83 mm; transverse diameter 26-71 mm.        -   Fruit weight.—122-234 g, average 165 g.        -   Form.—Oblate conic.        -   Cavity.—Acuminate, deep, russet deep inside cavity does not            extend out.        -   Basin.—Narrow width, medium depth, symmetrical; width 22 mm.        -   Calyx.—Open, sepals small-recurved.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium-thick.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Lenticels.—Round shape; 1-1.2 mm diameter.        -   Color.—Red-Purple 60B.        -   Stripes.—Light striping, dimensional spotting.        -   Ground color.—Yellow Group 8B.-   Flesh:    -   -   Aroma.—Sweet, spicy.        -   Color.—White Group 155A.        -   Texture.—Firm, chewy.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent.-   Core:    -   -   Locule number per fruit.—5.        -   Bundle area.—Average 1155 mm².        -   Bundle.—Conspicuous.        -   Carpel axial length.—Average 11 mm.        -   Seed cells.—Hard, tough.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number perfect.—10-11.        -   Number in one cell.—2.        -   Length.—8 mm.        -   Width.—5 mm.        -   Color.—Greyed-Orange 166A.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—20-28 mm.        -   Width.—2-4 mm.        -   Color.—Greyed-Orange 163C.-   Use: Fresh market, dessert.    -   -   Fruit brix.—14-18%.        -   Yield.—Approximately 2.5 bushel/tree at 300 trees/acre            annually.-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Keeping quality: 10 weeks in refrigerated storage.-   Tree winter hardiness: Average for domestic apple; depending on    acclimation tree is hardy to −10 to −25° F.-   Drought resistance: Average for domestic apple.-   Disease:    -   -   Resistance.—Resistant to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis);            Resistant to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora).        -   Susceptibility.—Susceptible to powdery mildew (Podoshaera            leucotricha) and other fungal diseases; fruit susceptible to            soft rot (Penicillium expansum).

What is claimed is:
 1. A new, distinct variety of apple tree named‘MAIA8’, as illustrated and described herein.